May 31, 1881.My dear Mr. Muir:I see by the San Fran. papers that you are going or have gone to the North Pole, but I am going to write you all the same, and some time you will find this note waiting for you.Of course we were surprised to hear of your marriage, and think as old friends, you might have told us of it before. And even now man-like you have only told us of the fact, and of your happiness in your baby. Can you not give us one word of the who, how, and when? We follow you in the magazines from time to time, and in the papers, but a letter from yourself, is worth all of those things together. I can imagine now how happy you are among the ice fields, but fancy there were a few regrets (a new sensation, I fancy) for those you have been obliged to leave at home. Your wife is too indulgent, I should say, if she consents to your wild life, or perhaps she shares in your enthusiasms, and forgets the dangers. Do not let your studies, or your new ties crowd out your old friends.Your letters are more to us than you can imagine, and Uncle John looks forward to their coming with as much pleasure as we do.I hope we shall be fortunate enough to be in California next winter, but we shall go out by the Southern Pacific and winter in Santa Barbara or thereabout, going to San Fran. in April or May and coming home by the Union Pacific. We shall miss you in our journeyings, for we are not the mountaineers we used to be, and cannot go where we would most wish to.Then your teachings were of a most perfect kind, and nature seemed nearer, and more beautiful under your instructions.Those Yosemite days will never return, and it is a delight to recall them, and remember their perfection, without one cloud to darken the picture for a moment.Your next letter will be an icy one, I fancy, and if it should come to us during our torrid weather it will be doubly welcome. All join in kindest regards and best wishes for a successful summer.Our best wishes to Hrs. Muir,--we shall hope some day to see you all.Yours sincerely,Anne W. Chene
